The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to find out the effect of foliar application of boron on the growth, yield and quality of tropical sugarbeet. The experiment consisted of foliar application of boron at four concentrations viz. 0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm and three frequencies of application time viz. once at 40 days after emergence (DAE), twice at 40 and 65 DAE and thrice at 40, 65 and 90 DAE. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The SPAD value increased in advancement of time and reached maximum (55.99) at 90 DAS with 150 ppm boron applied thrice at 40, 65 and 90 DAE and thereafter declined. Crown rot infestation suppressed properly using 100 ppm or 150 ppm boron applied twice at 40, 65 and 90 DAE. The highest beet length (28.92 cm) was obtained in 150 ppm boron applied twice at 40 and 65 DAE while the highest beet girth (36.25 cm), beet yield (104 t ha-1) and shoot yield (6.40 t ha-1) were recorded in plants grown in 150 ppm boron with foliar application thrice at 40, 65 and 90 DAE whereas the lowest values were recorded in control treatment. The highest brix percentage (16.33%) was recorded in 100 ppm boron applied thrice at 40, 65 and 90 DAE which was at par with 150 ppm boron applied thrice, twice and once while the highest purity (75.53 %) was recorded in 150 ppm boron applied thrice at 40, 65 and 90 DAE. Therefore, it can be concluded that 150 ppm boron with foliar application thrice at 40, 65 and 90 DAE appears as the promising combination for maximizing the beet yield and juice quality of sugar beet.
Key words: Sugarbeet, boron, yield, juice quality
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